Chapter 40

After four years, being in Seth's embrace again felt like knives piercing Layla's heart. She had once believed his arms were her safe haven, the source of her lifelong happiness. But beneath that warmth had lurked deceit and betrayal. Layla had fallen into it unknowingly, and for this man before her, she had lost so many things that truly mattered. The memories made her bristle with invisible thorns. She shoved Seth away, her voice cold and sharp. "Seth, let go of me." At her rejection, Seth's arms fell away. His reddened eyes locked onto hers, and he pleaded, "Layla, I didn't know your hand was injured because of me, that you could never paint again. You should've told me. Why did you bear it all alone?" A bitter laugh escaped Layla's lips. "And if I had told you? Would you have left Clarissa to stay with me? Would you have chosen to ignore her and not divorce me?" She shook her head, her eyes filled with scorn. "Seth, you wouldn't have. To you, I was always just a tool. No ma